2011 - 2012 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2011 - 2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Alternative Class A Program (Certification)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study

The Alternative Class A program is designed to serve those students who have completed a non-teaching baccalaureate degree. The program enables a student to obtain a master’s degree and Class A certification and is offered in the teaching areas of early childhood/elementary education and several teaching fields in secondary/P-12 education.

If an application for admission to the UWA Graduate School is submitted, indicating an interest in the Alternative Class A Program, the Teacher Education and Certification Office will determine eligibility for that program. If the applicant is eligible, the Teacher Education and Certification Office will create an individualized program of study. Programs are distributed with the letter of admission from the School of Graduate Studies.

A student may be admitted to the Alternative Class A Program under the following provisions:

  1. At least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 on a four-point scale as posted by the degree-granting college or university at the time of graduation.
  2. A passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam for the field of study. The only exception is the special education 6-12 program. In this program, students must complete deficiencies before beginning the Alternative Class A Program.
  3. A passing score on the Work Keys portion of the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test approved by the Alabama State Board of Education. For further information contact Alabama State Department of Education at (334) 242-9935 or apttp@alsde.edu or www.alsde.edu
  4. Fingerprint clearance by ABI and FBI through Cogent. For more information, go to the following website: www.cogentid.com/al/index_ade.htm

These programs of study are not posted on the website or in the catalogue. A student cannot complete the entire Alternative Class A Program online, although some of the courses are offered in that format. Alternative A students must meet residence requirements. To fulfill the residence requirements, a student must enroll for a minimum of twelve semester hours on campus classes while pursuing the Alternative Class A Program, excluding Internship (ED 509). Beyond this requirement courses may be taken online or on campus.

All other Graduate School admission requirements apply to this program.

Internship Requirement in the Alternative Class A Program

Applications for Internship may be requested by contacting the Director of Field Experience and Outreach in the College of Education.

  •  Applications for Fall Internship are due by February 1.
  •  Applications for Spring Internship are due by September 1.

The Teacher Candidate Internship Program at The University of West Alabama is the culmination of professional preparation for prospective teachers during which their professional knowledge and competencies are put into practice for further development and refinement in actual teaching situations. This phase of training is considered to be one of the most important learning experiences provided for the prospective teacher.

Through the guidance of local school officials, the cooperating teacher, and the college supervisor, teacher candidate interns progressively assume a share of the responsibility for the learning process in the classroom and are given the opportunity of developing their individual capabilities to the fullest extent possible. It gives them opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations, to synthesize what has been learned in courses in professional education, and to reflect upon their experiences in a public school setting.

The Partnership School for teacher candidate interns should consist of an orientation, a gradual induction into full teaching responsibility and opportunities to explore those experiences of professional teachers outside of their teaching responsibilities. Freedom to relate principles and theories consistent with the conceptual framework of the practical experience model of teacher education at the University of West Alabama is crucial to internship and field experiences. The process skills of collaboration, application, inquiry, and reflection are practiced under the guidance of the cooperating teacher and the college supervisor. Continuous evaluation of the growth and development of the intern by the college supervisor and the cooperating teacher in addition to the constant reflection upon experiences by the intern will lead to a successful induction into the world of practice. A Partnership School site containing these elements should provide the most effective setting for initiation into the profession.

Teacher Candidates can expect to spend approximately 15 weeks in an accredited Partnership School System. For candidates who are seeking certification in two or more distinct teaching fields, an additional 15 week internship(s) shall be required.

Under no circumstances will the internship requirement be waived regardless of current or prior teaching experience.

General Requirements for Admission to the Internship:

  1. Submission of internship application. The application consists of the appropriate forms, a brief autobiographical sketch, and a student articulated personal philosophy of education and its relationship to teaching practices.
  2. Within six to eight semester hours of completing all coursework excluding internship*
  3. A minimum quality point ratio of 3.0 in each of the following areas:  A. Overall, B. Teaching field, C. Professional
  4. Approval of the Teacher Education Screening Committee, and the Coordinator of Field Education.
  5. Freedom from any physical, mental, or emotional condition which might impair the student’s effectiveness as a teacher.
  6. Good standing of the student, both academic and disciplinary.
  7. Completion of residence requirement

Applicants should not seek to do their internship in schools which they attended as students. Student interns should not plan to participate in organizational activities and/or University activities that in any way conflict with their internship assignments. Internship may be enhanced by maximizing the field experiences in the school(s) where the internship will be conducted; therefore, students are encouraged to request placement in a school where they have had prior field experience.

*With approval of the Graduate Dean, students with a GPA of 3.60 or higher may register for up to four semester hours in addition to the internship. No coursework may be taken during the normal operational hours of the P-12 school.

Program Completion Requirements

All policies of the School of Graduate Studies apply to this program.

The student shall:

  1. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better in all courses in the approved program as verified on an official transcript.

  2. Make a satisfactory score on a written comprehensive examination documenting mastery of the curriculum of the program.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study